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USAMU Shooters Win World Cup Selection Match

By Paula J. Randall-PaganNational Guard Bureau

FORT BENNING, Ga., April 25, 1997  U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit international pistol shooters took the top spots in the World Cup Selection Match in Atlanta April 9 to 13, and now they're aiming at the world cups.

Staff Sgt. Daryl L. Szarenski, the 1996 national free pistol champion, won the free pistol match April 11 with a score of 564 points plus 97.4 points in the finals for a total of 661 out of a possible 709 points. He also won the men's air pistol match April 13 with 579 points plus 101.1 in the finals for a total of 680.1 points out of 709.

"I'm happy and proud to start off the season in such a great way," Szarenski said. "Since all my training is done at the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, the unit is very important to my performance at this time."

Capt. Rhonda L. Bright, the 1996 interservice sport pistol champion, won the women's air pistol match April 13 with a score of 376 points plus 99.9 in the finals for a total of 475.9 out of a possible 509 points and took third place in the sport pistol match April 11.

"I've been training hard; I've been working hard on my mental game and I'm finally seeing some results," Bright said. "I'm hoping to have my best overseas performance in the world cups. I think I can be competitive if I shoot what I'm capable of."

Pfc. Travis A. Jorgenson, the 1996 junior olympic national air pistol champion, won the junior men's pistol match and took second place in the junior division of the men's air pistol match April 13.

Because of their outstanding performances, all three shooters have been selected to compete at the upcoming world cups, which are the first opportunity where the marksmen can shoot a qualifying score to compete in the 2000 Olympics. Bright, Szarenski and Jorgenson will shoot at the Seoul World Cup May 7 to 14 and Bright and Szarenski will shoot at the Munich World Cup May 22 to 25 and Milan World Cup May 27 to 31.

(Article courtesy of U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Public Affairs Office)